Quick Answer
Yes, you can have 2 Google Wifi networks set up in your home. The main reasons for wanting 2 networks are to separate IoT devices, create a guest network, or extend coverage if 1 network doesn’t reach your whole home. To set up 2 networks, you need 2 Google Wifi router points. Connect 1 to your modem to create the main network. Connect the 2nd one wirelessly to extend the network and create a new SSID.
Setting Up 2 Google Wifi Networks
Setting up 2 Google Wifi networks is a straightforward process if you follow these steps:
- Get 2 Google Wifi points. You need at least 2 to create 2 wireless networks.
- Connect 1 Google Wifi point to your modem with an Ethernet cable. This will become your primary network.
- Open the Google Home app and set up this first point. Name your main WiFi network and choose a password.
- Place the 2nd Google Wifi point in another area of your home. Connect it wirelessly to the primary network.
- In the Google Home app, select “Add new device” and choose the 2nd Google Wifi point.
- Select “Set up a new network” and name this second WiFi network. Choose a password.
Once these steps are complete, you’ll have 2 distinct Google Wifi SSIDs broadcasting in your home. Devices can connect to either network using the corresponding password you set up.
Reasons for 2 Google Wifi Networks
There are a few key reasons you may want to take the time to set up 2 wireless networks in your home:
Isolate Smart Home Devices
Many smart home gadgets like light bulbs, switches, speakers and more connect to your WiFi network to enable remote access. The problem is, these Internet of Things (IoT) devices can potentially pose security risks if they aren’t updated or configured properly.
Having a separate wireless network just for smart home devices isolates them from the rest of your network and devices. So if there ever was a security breach with an IoT device, it couldn’t access other devices on your primary network.
Create a Guest Network
Opening up your main home wireless network to friends and family can also introduce security risks. You have to share your primary network password, and you don’t usually know if guests’ devices have up-to-date software and security.
Creating a separate guest network with a different SSID and password allows visitors to easily connect without actually joining your main home network. You don’t have to share your primary password, and you reduce the security risks.
Extend Wireless Coverage
If your home is large or has dead zones, a single Google Wifi point may not provide strong WiFi access everywhere you need it. Adding a second Google Wifi point as a mesh WiFi extender essentially doubles the coverage area of your wireless network.
Devices will automatically connect to the stronger WiFi point as you move around your home. And having 2 networks means 2 frequency bands that devices can connect to, reducing congestion and improving speeds.
Considerations for 2 Google WiFi Networks
Before you go through the steps to set up a second Google Wifi network, there are some important factors to keep in mind:
Only 2.4GHz or 5GHz at Once
One limitation is that Google Wifi points broadcast either 2.4GHz or 5GHz bands, but not both at the same time. So when you create 2 networks, devices may not always connect to the band that provides the fastest speeds.
For example, if your primary network is 5GHz and the secondary is 2.4GHz, devices supporting 5GHz may connect to the slower 2.4GHz network if the signal is stronger.
No Bandwidth/Speed Prioritization
You also can’t prioritize one Google Wifi network over the other. Even if you want the primary network to get more bandwidth, it will essentially be an even 50/50 split.
The only way to prioritize is to get a tri-band router and run the secondary network as a guest network, since most allow you to deprioritize guest networks.
Only 2 Networks Maximum
Google Wifi systems allow a maximum of 2 wireless networks. So you can have the primary and 1 secondary network, but no more than that. To get additional networks, you would need a more advanced router that supports VLANs.
Extra Configuration Steps
It takes a few more steps to set up 2 networks compared to a single SSID. You have to connect the second Wifi point, add it to the Google Home app, choose the network name and password, etc. It’s not difficult, but not as fast and easy as setting up 1 network.
You also have to make sure devices connect to the right SSID. There’s more potential for confusion having 2 different network names broadcasting.
How to Connect Devices to Two Different Google WiFi Networks
Once you have your 2 wireless networks set up, connecting devices is fairly straightforward:
Computers
On a Windows PC or Mac, click the WiFi icon in the system tray and select the desired network name from the list of available networks. Enter the corresponding password when prompted.
Smartphones and Tablets
On an iPhone, iPad or Android device, go into Settings > Wi-Fi and select the target network. Enter the password to connect.
Smart home devices
For IoT devices like bulbs and switches, follow the manufacturer’s instructions to put the device into pairing mode. Then open the Google Home app, tap Add > Set up device > Have something already set up? The app will find the device and let you connect it to the desired WiFi network during setup.
Game consoles
On a PlayStation, Xbox or other game console, go into network settings and select the target SSID from the list. Type in the matching password to connect.
Smart TVs
For smart TVs, go into network settings and look for an option like “Connect to WiFi” or “Configure WiFi Connection”. Select the right network name and enter the password.
Following device-specific instructions, you can connect most gadgets and computers to whichever Google Wifi network you want.
How to Manage 2 Google WiFi Networks
The Google Home app makes it easy to manage both of your wireless networks from anywhere:
- View devices connected to each network – See what’s connected to your main and secondary SSIDs.
- Change network names and passwords – Customize the SSID or password for each WiFi network.
- See connectivity and speed info – Check real-time network usage and speeds for troubleshooting.
- Add more Google WiFi points – Expand coverage by adding more points to either network.
- Set up family groups – Group devices on different networks to manage content filters and scheduling.
- Run speed tests – Verify your networks are delivering expected performance.
The majority of management tasks can be handled in the Google Home app, on either iOS or Android devices. You get full control and monitoring of both networks from a central dashboard.
Alternative Ways to Get 2 WiFi Networks
Google Wifi keeps network management straightforward by limiting you to 2 maximum networks. However, if you need more than 2 SSIDs, there are a couple alternative options:
Use an Advanced Router
Routers designed for enthusiasts and small businesses often support running multiple SSIDs through virtual LANs (VLANs). For example, an ASUS RT-AX86U router supports up to 8 SSIDs. This lets you divide your network into as many segments as needed.
The downside is VLANs can require more technical expertise to configure compared to consumer WiFi systems. But you gain maximum flexibility to create multiple networks with a single router.
Add a 2nd Router as Access Point
Another option is to add a second router configured in Access Point mode. Connect the WAN port of the second router to your primary router with an Ethernet cable. Disable DHCP on the second unit so it doesn’t act as a router.
Then you can broadcast a different SSID and password from the access point router. Clients connecting to this SSID will join your primary network through the access point.
While functional, performance may be slower since traffic has to pass through multiple routers. And managing two router interfaces isn’t as seamless as a robust WiFi system. But it does allow you to exceed the 2 network limit of Google Wifi.
Conclusion
Setting up multiple wireless networks at home using Google Wifi takes just a few steps. The main requirements are purchasing 2 Google Wifi points, connecting the first to your modem, and adding the second as a wireless mesh node.
This allows you to broadcast 2 unique SSIDs with different names, passwords, and settings. Reasons to create 2 WiFi networks include isolating IoT devices, providing guest access, and improving signal coverage.
While Google Wifi tops out at 2 wireless networks, advanced routers or a second access point can add more. Overall, Google Wifi strikes a nice balance of simplicity and flexibility for most homes looking to expand their WiFi capabilities.